The first Europa, which came before the popular Elise, had a ready twin-cam engine in the middle of the boat. As with all the best Lotus cars, it is also very light and small. This well-kept California car has had its mechanicals checked out and is now ready for its new owner. Most high-end sports cars today have engines in the middle, and there’s a good reason for this. Putting the car’s heaviest part in the middle makes it easier to handle and gives it a better off-the-line grip. The C8 Corvette used this design to fight with Porsches. When it comes to race cars, the benefits are especially clear. In the 1960s, Lotus was the first mid-engine winner in the Indy 500 and created a number of great mid-engine Formula One cars. It was only natural to bring this race-proven technology to the streets. The 1973 Lotus Europa that is being auctioned off today at Bring A Trailer is owned by Hearst Autos and Invoice Pricing. It is a great example of how the brand combines simplicity and innovation. It’s smaller than Shaquille O’Neal’s shoes and is blue with gold pinstripes and black leather on the inside. A fizzy twin-cam motor makes it move like a hummingbird, though. But the Europa is the essence of the Lotus, even if some people like the way it looks more than the slimline Elan. As its name suggests, Europa was first made for the European market. Even though it came with a 1.5-liter Renault engine that only made 82 horsepower, its fiberglass body and front and rear steel frames kept its curb weight of less than 1,500 pounds. Bring in some brightness and simplicity. Put in a Ford four-cylinder, 1.6-liter twin-cam engine, which is even better. Later models, like this 1973 version, got their power from it. This engine was just completely rebuilt. It has two Zenith-Stromberg carbs, an aftermarket header and exhaust, and pistons that are slightly over-bored (0.030-inch). When it was first made legal in the US, this engine would have made more than 110 horsepower, and it may make a little more in this situation. This light is good enough for a car. Even though the back tires are narrow (185-series Kumho Solus), this little Lotus can go fast. The good news is that the front and back suspensions have been completely rebuilt, and the steering rack bushings have been changed. You can buy a Lotus because of how well it handles. Rumor has it that the car was kept in California from 1985 to 2021, which kept its weak frame. After this, it was given a mechanical makeover to bring it back to its former greatness. Even though there were a few small problems, like tears in the seats, all the work that needed to be done was done kindly. Europa only needs a driver. This Lotus, which is 43 inches tall, won’t drive like a current mid-engine car, but the ride is still very exciting. Listen to the two carbs growl loudly behind you, steer by hand into a tight spot, and say a quick prayer of thanks to Colin Chapman for his famous look. You’ll get used to how mallard ducks look. These days, an Emira is twice as heavy. It’s less than twice as good. Lotus country likes things to be simple. The end date for this no-reserve sale is June 11.
